WASHINGTON —
Since operations began over the weekend to retake West Mosul from two years of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria control, Iraqi security forces have already retaken more than 48 square miles of ISIS-held territory near the city, a Pentagon spokesman said.

WASHINGTON —
On his first trans-Atlantic trip in his current post, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with leaders from three U.S. allies in the Middle East, according to a news release issued by the Defense Department.

SOUTHWEST ASIA —
The government of Iraq and Iraqi security forces announced the commencement of operations to liberate western Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

WASHINGTON —
The U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has liberated about 60 percent of ISIL-held territory in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, an Inherent Resolve spokesman told reporters.

WASHINGTON —
Iraqi security forces liberated eastern Mosul from more than two years of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s control, the commanding general of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command Operation Inherent Resolve said.

WASHINGTON —
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said U.S. precision airstrikes on two Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant training camps near Sirte, Libya, are estimated to have killed more than 80 enemy fighters.

WASHINGTON —
Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Air Force Col. John Dorrian said Iraqi security forces this week have continued steady progress against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including the liberation of Mosul University, a sprawling complex on the northeast side of Iraq’s second-largest city where the enemy was deeply entrenched.

WASHINGTON —
Iraqi forces reached the Nineveh governorate and counsel buildings in eastern Mosul and raised the Iraqi flag there, according to Elissa Slotkin, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.